Compositions and methods for regulating lymphocyte activation

Abstract

The present invention relates to regulation of lymphocyte activation. In particular, it relates to compositions and methods for regulating lymphocyte activation by selectively binding multiple cell surface antigens expressed by the same lymphocyte.

1 . A method for activating a lymphocyte, comprising aggregating three or more antigens expressed by the lymphocyte, thereby activating the lymphocyte.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  in which the lymphocyte is a T cell.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  in which the T cell expresses CD4.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  in which the three or more antigens are selected from a combination of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD6, CD8, CD18, CD25, CD27, CD28, CD40, CD43, CD45, CD45RA, CD45RO, CDw137, CDW150, CD152, CD154, ICOS, TCR alpha, TCR beta, TCR delta, TCR gamma, and a cytokine receptor.  
     
     
         5 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  in which the antigens are aggregated by one or more antibodies or an antigen-binding derivative thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  in which the antibody contains only heavy chains or an antigen-binding derivative thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  in which the antigen-binding derivatives are V HH .  
     
     
         9 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         10 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4  in which the antigens are aggregated by their corresponding ligands.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6  in which the antibodies or antigen-binding derivatives are immobilized on a solid surface.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  in which the antibodies or antigen-binding derivatives are conjugated to a particulate substrate.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  in which the antibodies or antigen-binding derivatives are arranged in a sequential order.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2  in which the T cell is activated to proliferate.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2  in which the T cell is activated to produce cytokines.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 2  in which the T cell is activated to alter its expression of cell surface antigens.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 2  in which the T cell is activated to alter its expression of cytokines.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 2  in which the T cell is activated to undergo apoptosis.  
     
     
         20 .- 49 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the three or more antigens comprise at least CD3 and CD28.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the three or more antigens further comprise CD2.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the three or more antigens further comprise CD18.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the three or more antigens further comprise CD40.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the three or more antigens comprise CD28 and TCRVβ.